Snatch block



Dec. 13, 1949 E. J. ANDERSON ETAL SNATCH BLOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 12, 1947 531a an fl ff j'aard Patented Dec. 13, 1949 UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE SNATCH BLOCK Edward J.. Anderson, Hought0n, and Eino Lehto, and Matt Saari, Aura, Mich, assignors to Marathon: Corporation, Rothschild, Wis.,. a. corporation of Wisconsin Application May 12, 1947, Serial No. 747,476

2 Claims. I

The: invention relates to; improvements in snatch blocks.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a snatch block which is simple in construction and which is inexpensive to, produce. Another object is to provide a snatch" block which in use will automatically assume improved locking characteristics.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will more fully appear from the following description and drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved snatch block illustrating one manner of use, namely in logging operations;

Figure 2 is a vertical front view of the snatch block;

Figure 3 is a vertical side view of the snatch block; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the snatch block illustrating the hooking element in open position to allow the insertion of a cable or rope upon the sheave.

Referring to the drawings, the snatch block comprises an axle pin 8 peened over at its ends 9 and Ill to confine a sheave H and side wings l2 and H! on each side of said sheave. The side wings l2 and I3 and the sheave II are mounted to freely rotate about the axle pin 8. A rod or arm [4 is fixedly secured to the side wing I2 as by welding l5. Preferably the rod I4 is welded to side wing [2 throughout the entire area of contact to insure maximum strength. The rod I4 is bent back onto itself to form a ring l6 disposed inwardly of the side wing l2 under the sheave H and in a plane perpendicular to the axis of axle pin 8. To insure that the ring l6 will withstand the maximum in tension without opening, the end of the rod i4 is welded at I! to an area of said rod below the side wing l2.

The side wing l3 has fixedly secured thereto by welding l8 a rod or arm l9. Beyond the area of contact and adherence with the side wing 13, the rod I9 is formed or bent into a hook 20. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 the rods I4 and H! are constructed and dimensioned so that the hook position 20 has the same radius or curvature as the ring 16 so that the hook in effect duplicates a substantial segment of the ring when they are in juxtaposition. The ring l6 has disposed therein in linking relationship a. link 2!, preferably of metal. The hook 20 is of such selected length that by pushing the link 2| upwards in contact with the ring 16, the hook 20 can clear said link and be pivoted to unlocked position whereby the sheave is exposed.

Figure 4 illustrates the snatch block in, the position preparatory tothe, insertion oi theinner reach of a rope or cable. The. side wing, i3. is, swung to its open position, to allow the inner reach of a rope or cable 26 to beplaced directly onto the sheave. This is also; indicated in the dotted lines'of Figure 3.

Figure 1 shows arope 26 disposed on the. sheave.

and the side wing l3 down in. operable position so that the hook!!! of rod 19,. engages the link 2! and is in contiguous relationship-with the, ring it for closed and locking engagement with said link. A rope 22 may be looped about the link 2| and secured thereto by a fastening member 23.

a The other end of the rop 22 is fastened to an eye member 24 through which the rope 22 is threaded to enable securing a log 25 or any other article desired to be hauled.

It will be observed that as tension is applied to the snatch block, the hook 20 will assume increased or improved locking characteristics. If it is desired to obtain access to the sheave to dispose an inner reach of a rope or cable thereon, it is simply necessary to release the tension on the snatch block and swing the side wing l3 with the hook 20 thereon out of contact with the link 2| and ring "5. This is illustrated in Figure 3 in the dotted lines and in Figure 4.

It is within the scope of the invention to utilize any looped or closed member in lieu of the link 2|. For example, the same results may be obtained by looping the rope 22 through the ring l6.

The snatch block is preferably constructed of steel high in tensile strength.

If desired the sheave may be mounted on roller bearings whereby provision is made to allow lubrication of the axle pin.

The snatch block made in accordance with the present invention has many advantages over prior constructions. It assures secure locking and retention of the cable during hauling operations. As tension increases on the drag cable the hook portion tends to lock the more securely so that accidental unlocking cannot possibly occur. As long as the cable is under tension there is no possibility of the hook portion unlocking even if the snatch block should drag on the ground. The parts of the snatch block can be made with a minimum of materials and labor. The ring and hook portion are readily formed from the members extending from the side Wings by merely shaping the ends thereof without involving extensive machining or casting operations. It will therefore be evident that the construction is very simple, efficient, sturdy and dependable as no special locking parts are required to coact with the hook portion. The cost of manufacturing the present snatch block is thus very low. There are so few parts that no special care or maintenance is required for continuous use of the snatch block in logging or other like operations.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential attributes thereof. It is desired that the present specific embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the aforegoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A snatch block comprising an axle, a sheave rotatably mounted on said axle, a side wing disposed on one side of said sheave and mounted on said axle, a metallic member welded to said side wing and having a ring formed therein, said ring being disposed inwardly of said side wing and in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said axle, a link disposed within said ring, another side wing pivotally mounted on said axle and on the other side of said sheave, a metallic member welded to said side wing and having a hook formed therein, said hook having substantially the same radius as said ring and adapted to lock about said link.

4 2. A snatch block comprising an axle, a sheave rotatably mounted on said axle, a side wing disposed on one side of said sheave and mounted on said axle, a member extending from said side wing, the end of said member being formed into a ring, said ring being disposed inwardly of said .side wing and in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said axle, a closed link freely passing through said ring, another side wing pivotally mounted on said axle and on the other side of said sheave, a member extending from said side wing and having the end thereof formed into a. hook, said hook having substantially the same radius as said ring and adapted to lock about said closed link.

- EDWARD J. ANDERSON.

ElNO LEHTO. MATT SAARI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PA'I'EN'I S Number Name Date 713,929 Webster Nov. 18, 1902 1,436,348 Le Clair Nov. 21, 1922 2,187,268 Hill Jan. 16, 1940 

